Lauren’s fingertips trembled as she folded a neatly pressed T-shirt into a soft duffel bag.
The fabric pressed against her skin reminded her that every small decision built up to this moment—a moment that had been lingering like a half-formed promise in the back of her mind for months.
The apartment around her was dark and quiet. Outside, the city was still, the evening cool and expectant. When Larry’s car pulled up outside her building, its headlights cutting through the night, Lauren’s heart skipped a beat.
With a deep, steadying breath, she zipped up her bag and stepped out into the night, meeting him on the stoop.
Larry waited by the doorway, his dark eyes soft with concern and something unspoken.
His hair was a little disheveled, as if he’d run his hands through it one too ma
